It seems unfair that Fiji is one of only two countries in the Pacific whose citizens cannot get visa free entry to the 28-member countries of the European Union.

Currently, countries like Kiribati, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have already been given visa free entry.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday raised the issue in his opening remarks at the Fiji-EU Third Enhanced Political Dialogue in Suva.

In May 2016, the then EU Head of Delegation for the Pacific Ambassador Andrew Jacobs said Fijians might be able to visit 28 European countries without the need for a visa from 2017.

He said then Fiji and PNG were not so far partners to this agreement. He said the EU was working on that. He said that would come sometime in the future.

He said, “our colleagues in Brussels are working on the migration issue rather have their hands full at the moment with the migration challenges in Europe, but our intention also is to extend this visa waiver scheme into Fiji in due course”.

Yesterday the current Head of EU Delegation for the Pacific Ambassador Julian Wilson in his speech said they were now looking into the matter.

But, Mr Bainimarama said, three years ago Fiji raised this issue with the EU, yet yesterday they could not report that any progress had been made.

Over the years, Fiji built its relationships with the EU – relationships that had benefitted many Fijians and Europeans. When Fijian officials met their EU counterparts in Brussels in 2016, they pushed for the visa waiver.

But the EU officials said no definite time had been set to when they would consider Fiji’s inclusion in visa-free access.

They told journalists that a review of Fiji’s inclusion into the scheme was not high on their agenda. The review is done every three years. The last one was done in 2012 where the application of Samoa, Tonga and Palau were considered.

The next review was to be undertaken in 2015. However, with the migration issue high on their agenda, the review was not done. The 2015 review of the list of countries was not done.

It was indicated then that the review could happen soon. Now it’s 2018 and the EU is still looking into it.

The other issue that was complicating the matter in 2016 was the indication that France would stop processing Schengen State visas – the visa required to travel to EU member countries at its Suva embassy. Then last year it happened. The embassy was downgraded and core functions including the visa processing were shifted to Vanuatu.

EU officials in Brussels had unsuccessfully lobbied for France not to stop the processing of visas in Suva. Currently, Fiji allows visa free access to all 28 EU member states including France.

We hope that with the strengthening of relations between French president Emmanuel Macron and Mr Bainimarama, particularly on climate change, France will review its position.

At the same time we expect the rest of EU to come to the party on reciprocal agreements.

[FIJI SUN]

Fijian Constitution

A short summary

His Excellency the President of Fiji RATU EPELI NAILATIKAU gave his assent to the new constitution of Fiji on 6 September, 2013.

It is a farsighted and comprehensive document and ties up loose ends and assuages a lot of uneasiness and fears of the people of Fiji.

The Constitution underpins the first genuine democracy in Fiji’s history.

The Constitution provides for a single chamber 50-member Parliament which will be the country’s supreme authority, and be elected on the basis of one person, one vote, one value. An elector will vote for any candidate who they believe will best serve their interest – under a Proportional Representation System.

Another important innovation is that representation will not be constituency based – regional constituencies are abolished. There will be one national constituency covering the whole of Fiji. A positive act -focussing on national issues, rather than on local or parochial matters only.

You will see from the following summary of what I mean:

The Preamble:

We, the people of Fiji,

Recognising the indigenous people or the I’Taukei, their ownership of I’Taukei lands, their unique culture, culture, traditions and language;

Recognising the indigenous people or the Rotuman from the island of Rotuma, their ownership of Rotuman lands, their unique culture, customs, traditions and language;

Recognising the descendants of the indentured labourers from British India and the Pacific Islands, their culture, customs, traditions and language; and

Recognising the descendants of the immigrants and settlers to Fiji, their culture, customs, traditions and language,

Declare that we are all Fijians united by common and equal citizenry;

Recognise the Constitution as the supreme law of our country and all Fijians;

Commit ourselves to the recognition and protection of human rights and respect for human dignity;

Declare our commitment to justice, national sovereignty and security, social and economic wellbeing, and safeguarding our environment; hereby establish this Constitution for the Republic of Fiji.

Specific protection of the ownership of I’Taukei and Rotuman lands and recognition of their culture, customs, traditions and language.

The protection of the rights of leaseholders.

Specific recognition of the culture and language of Indo-Fijians, other Pacific Islanders and other immigrants and settlers.

A Bill of Rights containing specific provisions guaranteeing a range of civil and political rights and, for the first time, social and economic rights. These include the right to education, economic participation, a just minimum wage, transport, housing, food and water, health and social security.

A free media and freedom of speech, expression, movement and association.

The safeguarding of the environment.

The compulsory teaching of the I’Taukei and Fiji Hindi languages at primary school level, along with English as the common language.

The right to multiple citizenship but a provision that only Fijian citizens be entitled to stand for Parliament.

The right to fair employment practices.

The right to join, form or campaign for a political party.

The right to privacy.

An Accountability and Transparency Commission which, for the first time, will hold all public office holders accountable.

A Code of Conduct for public office holders.

A provision requiring public office holders such as civil servants, and trade unionists to resign before contesting a seat in Parliament.

This short summary ends here. If you wish to have a copy of the executive summary of this document, please call